Find Yourself Through Drumming

Posted on 8/22/2013
by
Zuri Davenport

Zuri Davenport, of our Information Services Department, recently attended a drumming group class and immediatley started thinking if drumming might have applications in the area of health and wellness. Here's what he discovered.

I recently attended my first drumming group class and found that being able to create music with other people was quite amazing. If you give it a try, I promise it is an experience you won’t forget, and you may even pick up a new hobby or passion. After drumming for over an hour, I had a bit of a struggle trying to grip the steering wheel of my car for the drive home, but I felt amazing. I had hit a refresh button and felt happy, calm, and in-tune with my body and mind. So like any good librarian, I did some research on music and health, what would you know? There are a ton of resources through our website that provide great information about music therapy and its benefits for sustaining a healthy life style, and to assist sick or terminally ill patients.

But don’t take my word for it. Just take a look at the seniors at Williamette Oaks Retirement Community in Eugene, Oregon. Candy Davis started organizing a drumming group with seniors that has become the highlight of the retirement facility. Davis says that drumming is “great physical exercise.” By incorporating breathing techniques, stretching, yoga moves, and posture, drumming has been a great way to build strength and coordination. Through the NC Live Health Resources section on the library’s Health and Wellness Page, I found this great article about Music Therapy in action.

Medline Plus also has some really great articles that specifically mentioned drumming as a form of therapy. The The American Music Therapy Association described drumming as “stress reduction via active music making.” This great FAQ list also mentions music as a vital support for physical exercise, as well. I also found an article from the Mayo Clinic that described music therapy as an alternative treatment to relieve nausea, vomiting, and pain in cancer patients.

So if you are trying to work out more or get back in the gym or just looking for something fun to get the heart racing, I suggest that you try our Drumming Circle Workshop on September 15th, 2 pm at Central Library, or finding a local drumming circle and start feeling the beat!